By Steph Johnson

Last updated 10:44, Saturday, 06 September 2008

Firefighters in Cumbria could soon be told to add handyman and paramedic to their job descriptions.

Fitting bolts to people’s doors as part of home safety checks and providing medical care in support of ambulances are proposals included in Cumbria Fire and Rescue’s strategy for 2009/10.

The strategy, known as the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), sets out aims for the force for next year. Forging closer links with North West Ambulance Service is one of them.

The IRMP stated the proposal was to: “Provide better medical training to trauma technician level for operational personnel and to explore other opportunities, in partnership with North West Ambulance Service to provide enhanced pre-hospital care in areas of need within Cumbria.”

The Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) welcomes improved medical training as firefighters are often the first on the scene in an emergency.

But it fears the ‘other opportunities’ will be an attempt to use fire engines instead of ambulances in areas where cover is stretched – a development which would be hotly contested by the FBU.

Co-responding is the official term and Cumbria deputy chief fire officer John Moorcroft told the News & Star there had been no discussions on the matter, but said he could not rule it out.

Union spokesman Malcolm Hind said if co-responding was brought in, it would be dangerous because of firefighters’ lack of expertise and the excuse it could give NHS bosses to make cuts to the health service.

He said firefighters want to help people not replace paramedics and added: “Sending fire-fighters out to someone’s mother who is having a heart attack is degrading to the public and paramedics. “Paramedics have four or five years training, they would maybe give us a few days then maybe a day’s refresher every year.”

Mr Moorcroft said allowing crews to fit door bolts – something already done by firefighters in Barrow – would broaden the range of community safety services on offer.

But Mr Hind said that was an experiment and that a line needed to be drawn over what firefighters’ duties should involve.

The FBU is also dubious about the IRMP proposal for ‘flexible’ working in order to meet demand.

Mr Moorcroft confirmed that would mean one less firefighter per shift in Carlisle and Barrow and could save £288,000 – or the salaries of eight fire-fighters.

Mr Hind has written to county council leader Tim Stoddard to request a meeting with cabinet members.

After 12 weeks of public consultation councillors will be asked to approve the IRMP and Mr Hind wants to make sure they are aware of the FBU’s concerns before it’s too late.